Bank of Punjab case: Shahbaz proposes committee to probe embezzlements

Punjab chief minister says bi-partisan committee would look into Rs70 billion embezzlements.

LAHORE: Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday proposed the formation of a committee to probe embezzlements in the Bank of Punjab fraud case.

Addressing the Punjab Assembly, the Chief Minister said that the bi-partisan committee would look into the Rs70 billion embezzlements.

Sharif said the committee should include Opposition Leader Raja Riaz, Senior Advisor Zulfiqar Khosa, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhary Zaheeruddin and another minister.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Supreme Court had adjourned the hearing of the Bank of Punjab scam case till July 15 on the request of attorneys for four former directors of the bank. The counsels, including Fakhruddin G Ebrahim and Makhdum Ali Khan, requested the bench to fix the hearing in the third week of July.

Bank of Punjab Director Hamesh Khan, Haris Steel Mills Director Sheikh Muhammad Afzal and Seth Nisar are facing trial in the Rs9 billion fraud. Khan is accused of abuse of authority and Afzal and Nisar of willful default on the loan obtained on fake identity and collateral documents.